Plate Carrier

ABSTRACT

An armor carrier for retaining a plurality of armor plates. The armor carrier includes front and rear portions, a pair of shoulder straps, and a pair of side panels. The front portion comprises a pocket configured to hold an armor plate, and the rear portion comprises a pocket configured to hold an armor plate. Each shoulder strap is configured to connect the front portion to the rear portion. Each side panel includes a plurality of waist straps, each of which forms part of a connection between the front portion and the rear portion. The waist straps allow for adjustment of the side panels relative to the rear portion. The armor carrier may also include a pair of back straps, which in combination with the waist straps, allow a wearer to adjust the placement of the side panels relative to the rear portion to accommodate the build of the wearer.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/306,033, filed Feb. 19, 2010, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

STATEMENT OF GOVERNMENT RIGHTS

This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. W91CRB-10-C-0175 awarded by the United States Department of the Army. The Government has certain rights in the invention.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to body armor systems and, more specifically, to plate carrier devices and systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Military and police use many different types and styles of body armor systems. One such system is a plate carrier. A plate carrier is worn by a person around the torso and over the shoulders and houses armor plates, ballistic packs, and other forms of soft armor protection. This armor within the plate carrier provides ballistic and fragmentation protection to the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides plate carrier devices and systems that provide a wearer added comfort and allow for the quick and easy removal of armor. The carrier may include a front portion, a rear portion, and side panels, each of which can include pockets for holding armor plates. The side panels and shoulder straps may connect the front portion to the rear portion. The carrier may also include a carrier release mechanism for removal of the carrier.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For the purpose of illustration, there are shown in the drawings certain embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings, like numerals indicate like elements throughout. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements, dimensions, and instruments shown. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of an exemplary embodiment of an armor carrier as worn by a wearer, the armor carrier comprising a front portion, a rear portion, two side panels, and a plurality of buckles and waist straps, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 illustrates a rear view of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the armor carrier, wherein the armor carrier has been removed from the wearer and the buckles are opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a rear view of the armor carrier, wherein the armor carrier has been removed from the wearer and the buckles are opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a top view of the armor carrier, wherein the armor carrier has been removed from the wearer and the buckles are secured, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates an inside view of the armor carrier, wherein the armor carrier has been removed from the wearer and the buckles are opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates a view of a shoulder strap of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 illustrates a closer view of a rear end of the shoulder strap illustrated in FIG. 8, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates a front-side view of the armor carrier, wherein the buckles are in a secured position, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates a front-side view of the armor carrier, wherein the buckles are opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11A illustrates a detailed view of the waist straps and the buckles of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 illustrates a view of the inside of one of the side panels of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 13 illustrates a rear-side view of the armor carrier when worn by the wearer, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 14 illustrates a view of the inside of the rear portion of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 illustrates another view of the inside of the rear portion of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 illustrates a view of the inside of the front portion of the armor carrier, showing a carrier release mechanism, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 illustrates an opening and pocket for an armor plate for the front portion of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 illustrates another view of the opening and pocket for an armor plate for the front portion of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 19 illustrates another view of the inside of the front portion of the armor carrier, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While modern technology has developed new materials for armor plates, the armor plates remain the heaviest component of a plate carrier (also referred to herein as an “armor carrier”). Even with the advantages provided through use of aramid fiber, such as Kevlar®, ceramic, and other ballistic grade materials to manufacture armor plates, a wearer must still bear the physical weight of the armor plates while maintaining combat effectiveness.

In addition to issues with weight, modern armor carriers do not allow users to quickly and easily remove them. In modern armor carriers, ease of removal may be sacrificed to ensure that the carrier remains securely positioned on the wearer. Quick removal of an armor carrier, however, may be of particular importance to a wearer who has entered a body of water or needs to flee an area quickly.

Accordingly, it would be advantageous for an armor carrier to provide for added comfort while at the same time allowing for quick and easy removal by the wearer.

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention provide devices and systems for providing a wearer the ability to carry and wear armor and quickly and easily remove such armor when needed. An exemplary embodiment of such devices and systems comprises an armor carrier which provides a wearer added comfort while still allowing for the quick and easy removal of armor through removal of the armor carrier. The armor carrier may include a front portion, a rear portion, and side panels, each of which may include pockets for holding armor plates and/or soft armor packs. The armor carrier may further include shoulder straps, which together with the side panels, connect the front portion to the rear portion of the armor carrier. The armor carrier may also include a carrier release mechanism for quick removal of the armor carrier by and from the wearer.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an exemplary front view of an armor carrier, generally designated as 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 1 illustrates the armor carrier 100 as worn by a wearer 10. The armor carrier 100 comprises a front panel or portion 102 and a pair of side panels or portions 150. The armor carrier 100 further comprises a bottom end 108, a top end 106, a head opening 308, and shoulder straps 300 at the top end 106 of the armor carrier 100.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the armor carrier 100 includes a plurality of buckles 408 which secure the armor carrier 100 to the wearer 10. The buckles 408 may be opened by the wearer 10 to remove the armor carrier 100 from the wearer 10.

In an exemplary embodiment of the armor carrier 100, the armor carrier 100 includes a release pull strap 504, as illustrated in FIG. 1. The release pull strap 504 forms part of a carrier release mechanism 500 for quickly removing the armor carrier 100. The release pull strap 504 is any device capable of being pulled by the wearer 10 of the armor carrier 100 to achieve the features of the carrier release mechanism 500. The carrier release mechanism 500 is described in further detail below with respect to FIG. 16.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated an exemplary rear view of the armor carrier 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The rear view shows that the armor carrier 100 further comprises a rear panel or portion 104. In an exemplary embodiment of the armor carrier 100, secured to the rear portion 104 is a rear handle 110, which allows for pulling the wearer 10 when he has become immobilized. The rear handle 110 may be any device capable of being grabbed by a hand and pulled and remaining attached to the rear portion 104 while the wearer 10 is pulled.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an exemplary side view of the armor carrier 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The side view shows that the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104 are connected to one another by one of the side panels 150. It is to be understood that each of the pair of side panels 150 connects a side of the front portion 102 to a respective side of the rear portion 104. Each side panel 150 is releasably connected to the front portion 102 by a pair of the buckles 408. FIG. 3 illustrates the buckles 408 in their closed positions securing the side panels 150 to the front portion 102. In an exemplary embodiment, each of the buckles 408 is a side release buckle comprising a male buckle member (a hook end) and a female buckle member (a catch end).

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary front view of the armor carrier 100 showing the armor carrier 100 as it has been removed from the wearer 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 4, the buckles 408 are opened such that each side panel 150 is no longer releasably attached the front portion 102. FIG. 4 additionally shows that the front portion 102 is connected to the rear portion 104 by the shoulder straps 300.

FIG. 5 illustrates a further exemplary rear view of the armor carrier 100 showing the armor carrier 100 as it has been removed from the wearer 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 5, the buckles 408 are opened such that each side panel 150 is no longer releasably attached to the front portion 102. FIG. 5 additionally shows that the armor carrier 100 further includes a plurality of waist straps 402. An end of each of the waist straps 402 is anchored to the rear portion 104 to connect a side panel 150 to the rear portion 104.

In an exemplary embodiment, the waist straps 402 span the side panels 150 and form respective portions of MOLLE webbing along the side panels 150. In such exemplary embodiment, the waist straps 402 span across an entire width of the side panels 150 in parallel, and an end of each waist straps 402 opposite its anchored end is coupled to one of the buckles 408. In the exemplary embodiment in which the buckles 408 are side release buckles, the male buckle member of each side release buckle is coupled to the end of each waist strap 402 opposite its anchored end for connection to a respective female buckle member connected to the front portion 102. In the exemplary embodiment of the armor carrier 100 illustrated in FIG. 4, the portions of the buckles 408 illustrated therein are female buckle members.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is illustrated an exemplary top view of the armor carrier 100 as it has been removed from the wearer 10 but with the buckles 408 secured, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This figure provides an additional view of the shoulder portions 300 and how they connect the front portion 102 to the rear portion 104 and provide a space for the head opening 308. Also illustrated in the figure is a top view of the release pull strap 504 and the rear handle 110.

When the buckles 408 are opened and the armor carrier 100 has been removed from the wearer 10, the armor carrier 100 has a generally flat or planar shape. FIG. 7 shows an inside view of the armor carrier 100 as it has been removed from the wearer 10 and with the buckles 408 opened, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As can been seen in the figure, the armor carrier 100 is generally flat when unbuckled and removed from the wearer 10.

The front portion 102 and the rear portion 104 of the armor carrier 100 include a plurality of openings for receiving armor. The armor may be positioned between inner and outer layers of the material forming the armor carrier 100. Hence, the armor carrier 100 provides a plurality of pockets accessed via the plurality of openings for carrying armor. The armor used with the armor carrier 100 may comprise a range of soft armor packs and armor plates and, optionally, an armor plate used in conjunction with a soft armor pack.

The armor carrier 100 may accommodate a variety of different types of soft armor packs. In an exemplary embodiment, such soft armor packs may comply with NIJ Standard 0101.04, Ballistic Resistance of Personal Body Armor Systems; NIJ 2005 Interim Requirements for Bullet Resistant Body Armor; or NIJ Standard 0101.06, Ballistic Resistance of Body Armor. The protection level of the soft armor packs may comply with NIJ Level II or IIIA standards, or with other promulgated standards. In other exemplary embodiments, the soft armor may comprise US Military specification soft armor to specifications such as, for example, US Army FO/PD 07-05.

The armor carrier 100 may accommodate a variety of different types of armor plates. The armor plate may offer protection from military caliber and high velocity rounds that, under some circumstances, would not be stopped by a soft armor pack alone. In one exemplary embodiment, the armor plate may be a standard issue armor plate. It may be a metal or ceramic based armor plate, and may be selected from a variety of standard sizes, such as 8 inches by 11 inches, 10 inches by 12 inches, or other dimensions, and may be planar or of varying degrees of curvature. An armor plate may offer ballistic protection certified to NIJ Level III or NIJ Level IV on its own. Alternatively, NIJ Level III or NIJ Level IV ballistic protection may be accomplished through using a soft armor pack with an armor plate.

As shown in the exemplary view illustrated in FIG. 7, the armor carrier 100 includes (a) an opening 220 for a rear portion armor plate pocket 218, which opening 220 is releasably closed via hook and loop fasteners, (b) an opening 208 for a rear portion soft armor pocket 206, which opening 208 is accessed by opening a flap 708 releasably secured to the body of the rear portion 104 by hook and loop fasteners, (c) an opening 204 for a front portion soft armor pocket 202, which opening 204 is releasably closed via hook and loop fasteners, and (d) an opening 216 for a front portion armor plate pocket 214, which opening 216 is accessed by opening a flap 709 releasably secured to the body of the rear portion 104 by hook and loop fasteners. The functioning of the pockets 218, 206, 202, and 214 is discussed in greater detail below.

FIG. 8 shows a closer view of one of the shoulder straps 300, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The shoulder strap 300 comprises a front end 302 and a rear end 304. The front end 302 attaches to the front portion 102 of the carrier 100. The rear end 304 attaches to the rear portion 104 by hook and loop 810 fasteners. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 8, the loop fasteners 810 are attached to the rear portion 104 and the hook fasteners (not illustrated) are attached to the underside of the shoulder strap 300.

FIG. 9 shows a closer view of the rear end 304 of the shoulder strap 300, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. More specifically, FIG. 9 shows that, in the rear end 304, the shoulder strap 300 attaches to a slide 306, and the slide 306 attaches to the rear portion 104 of the carrier 100. The slide 306 allows the wearer 10 to adjust the distance between the top end of the front portion 102 of the carrier 100 and the slide 306 to thereby adjust the size of the head opening 308 for the wearer 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the slide 306 is a tri-slide.

Although it is illustrated and described above that the shoulder strap 300 is secured to the rear portion 104 by the slide 306 and the hook and loop 810 fasteners, it is to be understood that both of these attachment means are not necessary. Thus, in one exemplary embodiment, the armor carrier 100 includes the hook and loop 810 fasteners and not the slide 306. In another exemplary embodiment, the armor carrier 100 includes the slide 306 and not the hook and loop 810 fasteners.

FIGS. 10-11 show an exemplary front-side view of the armor carrier 100 when worn by the wearer 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 shows the buckles 408 in the secured position, thereby connecting one of the side panels 150 to the front portion 102. FIG. 11 shows the buckles 408 when opened. Together, FIGS. 10-11 show that each waist strap 402 may form part of the connection between the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104, as described above with respect to FIG. 5. In the exemplary embodiment in which the buckles 408 are side release buckles, the male buckle member of each side release buckle 408 is connected to one of the side panels 150, and the female buckle member of each side release buckle 408 is connected to the front portion 102.

Referring now to FIG. 11A, there is illustrated a closer view of the waist straps 402 and buckles 408, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As seen in FIG. 11A, each waist strap 402 ends in a loop 419, which is connected to a front waist strap slide 418; each front waist strap slide 418 is connected to a front securement strap 409; and each front securement strap 409 is connected to one of the buckles 408. These components enable adjustment of the distance between the front portion 102 and the side panels 150 by taking in slack or letting out slack in the securement straps 409. For example, the wearer 10 could tighten the fit of the armor carrier 100 by pulling the securement straps 409 through the front waist strap slides 418 to cause the buckles 408 to move toward the strap slides 418. In an exemplary embodiment, the front waist strap slides 408 are tri-slides. In the exemplary embodiment in which the buckles 408 are side release buckles, the male buckle member of each side release buckle is connected to one of the securement straps 409.

Referring now to FIG. 12, there is illustrated an exemplary view of the inside of one of the side panels 150, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 illustrates that the side panel 150 may include a pocket 210 for holding armor, and an opening 212 for accessing the pocket 210. Armor may be inserted through the opening 212 and into the pocket 210 to dispose and seat the armor within the side panel armor pocket 210. As with the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104, the armor for the side panel 150 may be of any type appropriate, such as those described above for protecting the wearer 10. In an exemplary embodiment, the armor disposed within each pocket 210 of the side panels 150 is a soft armor pack as described above. FIG. 12 also shows that the opening 212 may be secured in the closed position by hook 1210 and loop 1220 fasteners.

In exemplary embodiment, each side panel 150 further includes an additional pocket 1230 disposed within the pocket 210. The pocket 1230 is accessed through the opening 212 for inserting armor through the opening 212 and into the pocket 1230 to dispose and seat the armor within the pocket 1230. The pocket 1230 may hold armor of any appropriate type, such as an armor plate. The armor plate may be curved to conform to a side of the torso of the wearer 10 because the pocket 1230 is disposed within the side panel 150.

Referring now to FIG. 13, there is illustrated an exemplary rear-side view of the armor carrier 100 when worn by the wearer 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen in the figure, each waist strap 402 forms part of the connection between the front portion 102 and the rear portion 104. Specifically, each waist strap 402 connects the rear portion 104 to one of the side panels 150. The waist straps 402 are anchored within the rear portion 102.

In an exemplary embodiment, the armor carrier 100 includes a pair of back straps 414 further connecting the rear portion 104 to respective ones of the pair of side panels 150. The back straps 414 may include slides 416 for adjusting the distance between the side panels 150 and the rear portion 104. While both the back straps 414 and the waist straps 402 may adjust the horizontal distance between a respective one of the side panels 150 and the rear portion 104, the back straps 414 also provide for adjusting the vertical distance between the bottom of the side panel 150 and the bottom 108 of the rear portion 104. Working together, the back straps 414 and the waist straps 402 allow the wearer 10 to adjust the placement of the side panels 150 relative to the rear portion 104 to successfully accommodate the build of the wearer 10.

Referring now to FIG. 14, there is illustrated an inside of the rear portion 104 of the armor carrier 100 at the bottom 108 of the rear portion 104, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The view illustrated in FIG. 14 is that of the opening 220 opened to expose the internal armor plate pocket 218 within the rear portion 104 and other structural elements within the rear portion 104.

As seen in the figure, within the rear portion 104 is a plurality of strap slides 420. This figure shows that each waist strap 402 is connected to a rear waist strap slide 420, that each rear waist strap slide 420 is connected to a rear securement strap 422, and that each rear securement strap 422 is connected to the rear portion 104 of the carrier 100. These elements of the carrier 100 enable adjustment of the distance between the rear portion 104 and the side panels 150. It is to be understood that the portions of the waist straps 402 labeled as “402” in FIG. 14 are the ends of the waist straps 402 disposed away from the side panels 150. Thus, to decrease the distance between the rear portion 104 and the side panels 150, the wearer 10 may pull on the ends of the waist straps 402 shown in FIG. 14. In an exemplary embodiment, each rear securement strap 422 is connected to the rear portion 104 of the carrier 100 by a loop 424 fixed at one end to the rear portion 104 of the carrier 100.

FIG. 14 also shows the pocket 218 for holding armor. As stated above, in an exemplary embodiment, the pocket 218 is configured to hold an armor plate. The opening 220 for this pocket 218 can be secured in the closed position by the flap 708 illustrated in FIG. 7. The flap 708 is removably attached to the body of the rear portion 104 by hook and loop fasteners near the bottom end 108 of the rear portion 104.

Referring now to FIG. 15, there is illustrated another inside of the rear portion 104 of the armor carrier 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This view shows that the rear portion 104 may include an additional pocket 206 near the bottom 108 of the rear portion 104, which pocket 206 is for holding a soft armor pack, and an opening 208 for accessing the pocket 206. The soft armor pack may be inserted through the opening 208 and into the pocket 206 to dispose and seat the soft armor pack within the rear portion 104. This view also shows that the opening 208 for the rear portion soft armor pocket 206 may be secured in a closed position by hook and loop fasteners 1510 near the bottom end 108 of the rear portion 104. FIG. 15 also illustrates loop fasteners 1520 attached to the rear portion 104 to which the flap 708 is removably attached to secure the opening 220 in a closed position.

Referring now to FIG. 16, there is illustrated an inside of the front portion 102 of the armor carrier 100 at the bottom 108 of the front portion 102, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The view shown in FIG. 16 illustrates the front portion armor plate pocket 214 and the opening 216 for accessing the front portion armor plate pocket 214.

FIG. 16 also illustrates the carrier release mechanism 500 for enabling quick and easy removal of the armor carrier 100. The carrier release mechanism 500 includes the pull strap 504 (illustrated in FIG. 1), which is connected to a release cord 502 illustrated in FIG. 16. The release cord 502 may be any cord, string, strap, or similar device to run along the front portion 102 of the carrier 100. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 16, the cord 502 runs between an inner and outer material of the front portion 102.

Each buckle 408 is connected to a buckle strap 410, and each buckle strap 410 passes through a release loop 506 fixed at one end to the front portion 102 of the carrier 100. The release cord 502 passes through an opening 412 in the buckle strap 410 such that the presence of the release cord 502 within the buckle strap 410 prevents the buckle strap 410 from exiting the fixed release loop 506. Each release cord continues through the opening 412 and terminates at a release cord pocket 508 configured to receive an end of the release cord 502.

The wearer 10, if wishing to quickly remove the carrier 100, may simply pull on the pull strap 504, thereby pulling the release cords 502 out of the release cord pockets 508 and out of the openings 412 in the buckle straps 410. Once the release cords 502 are no longer present within the buckle straps 410, the buckle straps 410 may exit the fixed release loops 506, and the front portion 102 then separates from the side panels 150, even while the buckles 408 remain secured. At this point, the wearer 10 may easily remove the carrier 100 by lifting the carrier 100 over his head.

Referring now to FIG. 17, there is illustrated an inside of the front portion 102 of the armor carrier 100 at the bottom 108 of the front portion 102, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The view illustrated in FIG. 17 is that of the flap 709 opened to expose the internal armor plate pocket 214 within the front portion 102 and other structural elements within the rear portion 102. In an exemplary embodiment, the pocket 214 is configured to hold an armor plate. The pocket 214 is access by opening the flap 709 illustrated in FIG. 7. The flap 709 is removably attached to the body of the front portion 102 by hook 1730 and loop 1710 fasteners near the bottom end 108 of the front portion 102.

Also illustrated in FIG. 17 is a center strap 1720 which secures the opening 216 for the pocket 214. FIG. 18 shows another view of the center strap 1720, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 18, the center strap 1720 is detached from a loop fastener 1740 and pulled down to expose the pocket 214 and opening 216 for the front portion armor plate. The center strap 1720 includes hook fasteners for attaching to the loop fastener 1740.

Referring now to FIG. 19, there is illustrated another inside of the front portion 102 of the armor carrier 100, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. This view shows that the front portion 102 may include an additional pocket 202 near the bottom 108 of the front portion 102, which pocket 202 is for holding a soft armor pack, and an opening 204 for accessing the pocket 202. The soft armor pack may be inserted through the opening 204 and into the pocket 202 to dispose and seat the soft armor pack within the front portion 102. This view also shows that the opening 204 for the front portion soft armor pocket 202 may be secured in a closed position by hook and loop fasteners 1910 near the bottom end 108 of the front portion 102. FIG. 19 also illustrates loop fasteners 1920 attached to the front portion 102 to which the flap 709 is removably attached to secure the opening 204 in a closed position.

Hook and loop fasteners are described herein and shown throughout the figures as a means to secure parts of the armor carrier 100 together. An example of hook and loop fasteners is Velcro®. Alternative forms of removable attachments may be used, including but not limited to, buttons, snaps, or other suitable forms of attachment.

The armor carrier 100 may be formed from one or more layers of fabric, for example, a 500 Denier Nylon Cordura or other durable fabric material. The buckles described herein may be formed from plastic or other suitable forms of material for attachment. Other suitable forms of connectors may be used, such as the side release buckles described herein. The loops, slides, rings, and strap connectors described herein may be formed from plastic, metal, or other suitable forms of material for creating static and dynamic connections.

The present invention may be used in connection with back packs and alternative types of plate carriers and armor carriers. The armor carrier 100 may have additional straps, such as the MOLLE straps illustrated in the figures, attached along various aspects of its surface for holding packs, grenades, carabiners, and other devices and materials used in the battlefield environment.

Modifications can be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. Having described exemplary embodiments of the invention, additional embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements will be apparent to those skilled in the art. These and other embodiments will be understood to be within the scope of the appended claims and apparent to those skilled in the art. 

1. A carrier comprising: a front portion comprising a pocket configured to hold an armor plate; a rear portion comprising a pocket configured to hold an armor plate; a pair of shoulder straps, each shoulder strap being configured to connect the front portion to the rear portion; and a pair of side panels, each side panel comprising a plurality of waist straps, each waist strap forming part of a connection between the front portion and the rear portion.
 2. The carrier of claim 1, wherein: the front portion is connected to a buckle strap that is connected to a buckle, the buckle strap passing through a release loop fixed at one end to the front portion of the carrier, and a release cord passes through an opening in the buckle strap such that the presence of the release cord within the buckle strap prevents the buckle strap from exiting the fixed release loop.
 3. The carrier of claim 2, wherein the carrier further comprises a carrier release mechanism configured to enable removal of the carrier, the carrier release mechanism comprising the release cord, a pull strap connected to the release cord, the release loops, and at least one release cord pocket configured to receive an end of the release cord, wherein pulling the pull strap causes the front portion to separate from the side panels.
 4. The carrier of claim 1, wherein: each waist strap is connected to a front waist strap slide, each front waist strap slide is connected to a front securement strap, and each front securement strap is connected to a buckle.
 5. The carrier of claim 4, wherein the front securement strap connected to each front waist strap slide and each front waist strap slide together enable adjustment of a distance between the front portion and the side panels.
 6. The carrier of claim 1, wherein: each waist strap is connected to a rear waist strap slide, each rear waist strap slide is connected to a rear securement strap, and each rear securement strap is connected to the rear portion of the carrier.
 7. The carrier of claim 6, wherein each rear securement strap enables adjustment of a distance between the rear portion and the side panels.
 8. The carrier of claim 7, wherein each rear securement strap is connected to the rear portion of the carrier by a loop fixed at one end to the rear portion of the carrier.
 9. The carrier of claim 1, wherein each side panel further comprises one or more back straps configured to connect each side panel to the rear portion.
 10. The carrier of claim 9, wherein the one or more back straps comprise slides for adjusting a distance between the side panels and the rear portion.
 11. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the rear portion further comprises a handle configured to enable a person to pull a wearer of the carrier.
 12. The carrier of claim 1, wherein each of the front portion, the rear portion and the side panels comprises a pocket configured to hold a soft armor pack.
 13. The carrier of claim 12, wherein each of the armor plate pockets and the soft armor pack pockets comprise an opening adjacent to a bottom end of the carrier, wherein the openings are configured to receive respective ones of the armor plates or the soft armor packs.
 14. The carrier of claim 1, wherein the shoulder straps connect the front portion to the rear portion by a front end of the shoulder strap being attached to the front portion of the carrier, and a rear end of the shoulder strap being attached to the rear portion of the carrier by an adjustable slide attached to the rear portion of the carrier. 